GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY ASKED BY NIGERIAN REBELS TO BRING AN END TO CONFLICT

CLOONEY ASKED BY NIGERIAN REBELS TO BRING AN END TO CONFLICT

GEORGE CLOONEY has been invited to step in as mediator in Nigeria's ongoing conflict between the country's government and its rebels - by the armed group who are protesting against the authorities. The members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have written an open letter to the Hollywood actor - who was named a United Nations Messenger Of Peace on Friday (18Jan08) - to help in negotiations between themselves and the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua. The letter reads: "Mr Clooney, MEND extends an invitation to you to see things for yourself and is willing to work with you and other credible peace makers of international repute to stop Nigeria from plunging into the abyss of war." The MEND rebels in the Niger Delta - the oil-producing area of the African country - have been making the headlines since 2006 for their bomb attacks on oil facilities and kidnapping foreign workers in their efforts to secure control over the region's oil.